GERRARD’S SUCCESS IS SPUR FOR NEW BOSS

WAYNE ROONEY spoke to Steven Gerrard hours before agreeing to follow his former England team-mate into the hazardous world of football management. R Rooney called time on his outstanding 18-year playing career when he signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with troubled Derby yesterday after a positive spell as interim boss. The situation could hardly be trickier. The Rams are fighting relegation and the prospective new owners are yet to complete their protracted takeover bid, meaning the players have not been paid their December salaries. But Rooney says he has been assured the takeover, led by Sheik Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan, will go through and the players will be paid in full. He has no doubt that moving to the dugout is the correct decision after watching Rangers manager Gerrard, among others, make a positive impression. ‘It is great to see the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, myself, Scott Parker and John Terry move into coaching and management,’ said Rooney. ‘People can earn a lot of money doing TV work, so it’s great to have a core of young former England players rolling their sleeves up and trying to take the opportunity given them. ‘I spoke to Steven on Wednesday. He’s a good friend and has gone down the managerial route at a young age. Hopefully I can start to write some history and have a successful managerial career.’ When he was temporarily promoted to manage the team after Phillip Cocu was sacked in November, Rooney hinted heavily that he had played his last game. He has never included himself in a matchday squad and has been running training sessions rather than taking part in them. But the 35-year-old took until yesterday to confirm his decision, meaning that Derby’s 3-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on November 25 was his 883rd and final senior appearance. After making his debut as a 16-year-old for Everton in 2002, Rooney became the record goalscorer for Manchester United and England. ‘I’ll miss playing but I’ve had my time,’ he said. ‘I have been very lucky to play for some massive teams. It was my boyhood dream to play for Everton and the 13 years at United were the highlight of my career. ‘I felt the time was right to stop playing and this moment has been coming. ‘I’ve got a new excitement and a buzz to fulfil my potential as a manager. It’s a big chance for me to try to lead this club back to the glory days.’